Let’s not forget the things which have lasting value. Unfortunately for many, they spend their lives seeking after their wants, desires, & fame. All of these fade over time and none provide lasting joy. The desire to pursue after these things rather than seeking closer fellowship with Christ is a sign of idolatry. This should not be so among HIS followers, but unfortunately it is a sign of the end times. Mt. 24:12 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” We have battled these temptations the world has to offer from the beginning of time.“ From the beginning of time, people have always struggled with three major areas of temptation.
1 Jn. 2:15-17 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
1. Covetousness - Gen. 3:6 “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food,”
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh,”
2. Lustfulness - Gen. 3:6 “and that it was pleasant to the eyes,”
“and the lust of the eyes,”
3. Pride - Gen. 3:6 “and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”
“and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
LESSON - Consider what you are doing and why you were doing it. Whatever you are pursuing more than Christ is what you have chosen to love more than Him. Jesus revealed through his victory over temptation by Satan that we are not slaves to our sin nature. He has empowered us to love Him more than ourselves.
~Mike
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